Police: Florida man arrested in two bank robberies last year in San Ramon

By Kristin J. Bender Contra Costa Times

Posted:
01/16/2014 02:06:48 PM PST

Updated:
01/16/2014 02:33:17 PM PST

SAN RAMON -- A fingerprint lifted from the door of a San Ramon bank led to the arrest of a 35-year-old Florida man, who admitted to twice robbing the same bank branch last year, police said Thursday.

Benjamin Matthew Kairalla robbed the Bank of the West on Sunset Drive on July 1 and again Dec. 6, police said. A fingerprint on the inside of a bank door, lifted from the first robbery, and security camera footage captured during the second robbery led police to Kairalla, who was in custody in Palm Beach, Fla., on five drug-related warrants, police said.

Detectives traveled to Florida last week and interviewed Kairalla, who detailed his involvement in the two robberies last year.

Following Kairalla's confession, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed two counts of robbery with enhancements. Kairalla remains in custody on $100,000 bail. The FBI has taken over the investigation and will handle the case in federal court.